Along with other local Labour parties, trade unions and others, West Worcestershire Labour Party is supporting the Rally 4 Unity organised by Worcester Trades Union Council for the 1^st September.  The Rally is being organised as a counter protest to the far right English Defence League (EDL) who are planning a march in Worcester that day to promote their messages of hate and division.

Over the past few years, we have seen an alarming rise of far right activity, culminating in violence, attacks on public businesses, and hate directed toward minority ethnic groups in person and online. This has been further fuelled by inexcusable language promoted by the likes of Boris Johnson, Steve Bannon and Nigel Farage which, when not called out and acted upon, lays the foundations for scape-goating, intolerance and racism. Indeed, we have seen a senior Worcestershire County Council Tory Cabinet Member (Ken Pollock) repeat racist and Islamaphobic messages on social media. This normalises this kind of language and is not acceptable on any level. We must stand up for our values of peace, tolerance and justice, so we would urge any members who are available on 1^st September to go to Worcester to attend the counter demonstration and stand shoulder to shoulder with our sister parties in Worcestershire, and the trade unions, in a display of solidarity.

The Rally 4 Unity is being planned as peaceful rally with other Labour CLPs and Worcester Trades Unions Council. We do not want or expect our supporters to find themselves confronting the EDL & other right wing groups face to face but we do want an opportunity to say no to their message of hate and intolerance in Worcester.

Exact time and location are still being finalised – for the latest go to https://www.facebook.com/WorcesterTradesUnionCouncil/